Spribe wins UK court ruling, Light & Wonder relocates stock exchange location
In the realm of online gaming, a significant legal battle is unfolding between Spribe and Aviator LLC. The UK High Court has granted an interim injunction to Spribe, halting Aviator LLC from launching or promoting its crash game in the UK market. This decision favours Spribe, which holds the original Aviator crash game copyright and a UK gambling license since 2020 [1][3].
However, this ruling contrasts with decisions in Georgia, where Aviator LLC secured $330 million in damages against Spribe’s affiliate over trademark use. Spribe disputes these Georgian rulings, claiming it is the global owner of the Aviator brand [1]. Aviator LLC has publicly pushed back against the UK injunction, emphasising that Spribe did not secure broader restrictions to block Aviator LLC from using the brand name or making statements about ownership [2][4][5].
Meanwhile, the National Council on Problem Gambling welcomes a provision in the Senate Appropriations Committee that will allocate funds for examining and researching gambling-related harm among US military service members [6]. This move comes as new research presented to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission shows a shift in public sentiment against gambling, with more than half of all gamblers viewing the activity as causing more harm than good [7]. Furthermore, the number of people experiencing gambling-related harm is also increasing in Massachusetts, indicating the need for new measures.
On a different note, the American Gambling Association (AGA) has released a new consumer survey indicating that US players recognize sweepstakes casinos as a form of gambling and play there mostly to win real money [8]. In response, the AGA is advocating for the regulation of sweepstakes under the same laws as traditional online gambling, viewing it as a loophole [9].
Elsewhere, Light & Wonder is shifting its stock exchange from NASDAQ to the Australian Stock Exchange [10]. In the Netherlands, Ivan Kurochkin, Partner and Head of Consulting Department and Eastern Europe at 4H Agency, has spoken about the country establishing a new enforcement standard in its gambling regulations [11].
In the US, around 74% of gambling revenue is funneled through non-regulated websites [12]. To combat this, Michigan has targeted six illegal gambling websites, giving each a 14-day compliance period after issuing a cease-and-desist letter [13].
On a positive note, Bet365 has entered a 14th state in the United States, Kansas [14]. The Texas Lottery will pay an outstanding $83.5 million reward to a February lottery winner, Kristen Moriarty, who will receive $45.8m before taxes [15].
Lastly, David Natroshvili, Founder and CEO of Spribe, discusses how his company has revolutionized the crash game genre and aims to have 100 million active players by 2028 [16]. Simultaneously, Stars Partners' CEO Mares S. reveals insights into the company's inner workings and how it builds strong retention funnels [17].
The ongoing legal dispute between Spribe and Aviator LLC, the push for regulation, and the growing concerns about gambling-related harm, paint a complex picture of the online gaming industry. As these issues continue to evolve, it's clear that the industry will remain a topic of interest for policymakers, regulators, and players alike.
References: [1] Spribe Wins UK Injunction Against Aviator LLC [2] Aviator LLC Pushes Back Against Spribe's UK Injunction [3] Spribe's Court Victory Over Aviator LLC in the UK [4] Aviator LLC's Response to Spribe's UK Injunction [5] What the UK Injunction Against Aviator LLC Means [6] Senate Allocates Funds for Researching Gambling-Related Harm Among US Military [7] New Research Shows Increasing Concerns About Gambling in Massachusetts [8] AGA Survey: US Players Recognize Sweepstakes Casinos as Gambling [9] AGA Advocates for Regulation of Sweepstakes [10] Light & Wonder to Shift Stock Exchange to Australian Stock Exchange [11] Netherlands Establishes New Enforcement Standard in Gambling Regulations [12] 74% of Gambling Revenue Funneled Through Non-Regulated Websites [13] Michigan Targets Illegal Gambling Websites [14] Bet365 Enters 14th State in the US [15] Texas Lottery to Pay Out $83.5 Million Reward [16] Spribe's CEO Discusses Company's Success [17] Stars Partners' CEO Reveals Insights into Company's Inner Workings
- The UK High Court has granted an injunction to Spribe, forcing Aviator LLC to halt promotions of its gambling game, the Aviator crash game, in the UK market, given Spribe's copyright and UK gambling license for the original game.
- Despite the UK ruling, Aviator LLC has disputed the injunction, asserting that Spribe's restrictions do not cover statements about ownership or use of the Aviator brand name.
